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Early Care Services

Cold & Flu (included Strep Throat testing)

Having a sore throat is very common, especially in children. A sore throat may be caused by a viral infection like a Cold, Flu or COVID. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection Streptococcus (Strep Throat)

There are several groups of people who should consider getting tested:

  • Children who develop a sore throat and it does not clear within a couple of days.
  • Adults who come in contact with children carrying this Bacteria and develop a sore throat after contact.
  • Children or Adults where there is a history of Rheumatic Fever in the family (this group is high risk and should always get tested).

People who contract Strep Throat are at risk of Rheumatic Fever and require treatment with an Antibiotic for 10 days to prevent this. 

Our trained pharmacists can conduct a Rapid Antigen Test for Strep A which gives an immediate result.  If the patient has a positive result, then a suitable course of antibiotics can be issued.

The benefits are: 

  1. You get an immediate result, rather than waiting 3 days for the lab result to come back to you. 
  2. Less sick days off school or work - beginning treatment immediately means you recover faster
  3. No unnecessary antibiotics - if your test is negative then there is no need to treat.

Please call the Pharmacy to see if you are eligible for a FREE TEST otherwise there will be a charge for this service.

Our Pharmacists may also issue a Medical Certificate for 1-3 days if deemed suitable (a cost applies).

For further information on sore throat treatment talk to one of our staff members or see https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/s/sore-throat-adults/

All patients with sore throat symptoms should test for Covid before coming to the pharmacy. If the Covid Test is positive, stay home and phone us for advice. 

Disclaimer - These medications are supplied under Standing Orders, supervised by a registered medical practitioner. You must complete a consultation with our pharmacist to access these medicines. 

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition predominantly affecting the central face and most often starts between the age of 30–60 years. Rosacea is common and symptoms can include facial flushing, redness, spots (Papules and pustules) and thickening to the skin.

If you have had a previous diagnosis of Rosacea that has resolved, and you are experiencing a new flare up, our trained pharmacists can help.

After a consultation with one of our pharmacists, you can be provided with treatments including:

  1. Azelaic Acid Lotion (AzClear)
  2. Metronidazole Gel (Rozex)
  3. Doxycycline oral antibiotics

 If the pharmacist deems the case is severe case or there are any “red flags” you will be referred to a medical practitioner.

This is a Non-Funded service so a fee will apply, talk to our staff for further information on charges.

This service is available 7 days, no appointment required (subject to staff availability).

Further info on Rosacea see, https://dermnetnz.org/topics/rosacea

Disclaimer - These medications are supplied under Standing Orders, supervised by a registered medical practitioner. You must complete a consultation with our pharmacist to access these medicines. 

Shingles

Shingles (mate huaketo hei) is a painful blistering rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.  Shingles tingles or hurts and then an itchy rash appears on one side of your body.  

Blisters typically scab over after 7–10 days and the pain usual will settle within 2–4 weeks.

Early treatment helps to reduce the severity of the rash and how long it lasts. It also helps in managing the pain associated with shingles.  Antiviral medicines help to fight the virus and other medications can be used to manage the pain.

If you have had a previous diagnosis of Shingles that has resolved, and you are experiencing a new flare up, our trained pharmacists can help.

After consultation our trained pharmacists can supply a 10-day course of Valaciclovir for uncomplicated shingles.  This service is only available for those 18yrs and older.

If the pharmacist deems the case is severe case or there are any “red flags” you will be referred to a medical practitioner.

Our Pharmacists may also issue a Medical Certificate for 1-3 days if deemed suitable.

This is a Non-Funded service so a fee will apply, talk to our staff for further information on charges.

This service is available 7 days, no appointment required (subject to staff availability).

For further information on Shingles see, https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/s/shingles/

Shingles can be prevented by a childhood vaccine for chickenpox and a specific vaccine for shingles, free for 65-year-olds (for information on the Shingles vaccine talk to one of our staff members).

Disclaimer - These medications are supplied under Standing Orders, supervised by a registered medical practitioner. You must complete a consultation with our pharmacist to access these medicines. 

Conjunctivitis in anyone 3 months and up.

 

Conjunctivitis (pokenga whatu) is a common eye condition that affects both adults and children. It's an inflammation of the protective membrane that lines your eyelids and the whites of your eye (conjunctiva). It can be caused by:

  • a bacterial infection
  • a viral infection
  • allergies or something irritating the eye.

Treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis. Traditionally for bacterial eye infections, pharmacists are able to supply antibiotic eyedrops or eye ointment for adults and children over 2 years old.

Our new service now allows trained pharmacists to treat children from 3 months up.

It is important the person with conjunctivitis comes into the pharmacy for a consultation. Our trained pharmacist will then assess the condition of the eye and determine which treatment is most appropriate.

A consult is required, and some exclusions do apply.

This is a Non-Funded service so a fee will apply for this service.

Please call the pharmacy for cost.

This service is available 7 days a week, no appointment required.

Further info  https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/c/conjunctivitis/ 

Disclaimer - These medications are supplied under Standing Orders, supervised by a registered medical practitioner. You must complete a consultation with our pharmacist to access these medicines.   

Herpes Simplex (Cold sores and Genital Herpes)

 

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) They are small fluid filled blisters that appear on the skin, usually on the lips, chin, cheeks or nostrils.

Infection is very common and is easily passed from person to person by close physical contact. A tingling or burning sensation is often present just before cold sores develop.

Genital Herpes   is also caused by the HSV virus. Most people have mild symptoms or none at all. Others get a painful rash and blisters on their genitals and surrounding area. Genital Herpes is usually passed on to others through sex. It can be passed on when you have no symptoms and symptoms can appear many years after being infected.

  • If you have had a previous diagnosis of Herpes that has resolved, and you are experiencing a new flare up, our trained pharmacists can help.
  • There is effective treatment to relieve the pain and discomfort for both Cold sores and Genital Herpes.  Our trained Pharmacists can prescribe and dispense an Anti-Viral tablet called Valaciclovir to those 18yrs and older.   A consult is required, and some exclusions do apply.
  • This is a Non-Funded service so a fee will apply for this service.
  • Please call the pharmacy for cost.
  • This service is available 7 days a week, no appointment required.

 

Further information https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/g/genital-herpes/

Further information https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/c/cold-sores/

Melatonin & Sleep Problems

 

Melatonin is used to treat sleep problems

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in your brain, it helps to control your body's sleep pattern and sleep–wake cycle. Darkness triggers the body to make more melatonin, which signals the body to sleep. Light decreases melatonin production and signals the body to be awake. Some people who have trouble sleeping have low levels of melatonin.

Melatonin can help shorten the time it takes you to get to sleep by about 10 minutes. It can also help the quality of your sleep. Melatonin can be used for a short time, to help you get back into a good sleep habit.

Our trained Pharmacists can prescribe and dispense melatonin for those aged 18yrs and older. A consult is required, and some exclusions do apply.

 

This is a Non-Funded service so a fee will apply for this service.

Please call the pharmacy for cost.

This service is available 7 days a week, no appointment required.

For Further information https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/m/melatonin/

 

Medical Certificates

Trained pharmacists can now legally issue Medical/ off work Certificates in New Zealand.

With the amendment of the Holidays Amendment (Act No2) 2016 allows any Health Practitioner (as defined by the Health and Practitioners Competence and assurance Act) to issue medical Certificates. This includes Pharmacists.

This requires a consultation and there are exclusions.

This does not cover medical certificates for ACC, Diving, Driver’s license or WINZ.

This is a Non-Funded service so a fee will apply for this service.

Please call the pharmacy for cost.

This service is available 7 days a week, no appointment required.